Container or article divider



Jan. 12, 1960 A.M.WOLD1N 2,920,739

CONTAINER OR ARTICLE DIVIDER Filed may 2, 195e s sheets-sheet 1 Flexi 0 N INVENTOR.

ALFRED MMoLDm v AT TC 2N E Y ian. 12,1960

A. M. WOLDIN CONTAINER OR ARTICLE DIVIDER Filed May 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12, 196@ A. M. WOLDIN CONTAINER 0R ARTICLE DIVIDER 5 Sheets-Sheet I5' Filed May 2, 1958 United Sates Patent() CONTAINER R ARTICLE DIVIDER Alfred MuWoldiu, Trenton, NJ.

'Application May 2, 11958, Serial No. 732,691

'5 Claims. (Cl. 198--31) This invention relates to conveying apparatus and, more specifically, t-heinvention` pertains to conveyorapparatus together withmeans for systematically,diverting articles from a first predetermined-path of travel `for direction in a second predetermined path of travel.

One of the primary objects of this inventionl isV to provide in an` article conveyor linea control device for selectively diverting articles received from a single conveyor runway to two or more conveyor runways.

Anothercbject-of this invention is to provide a rotary turret device-for dividing or diverting articles from a single conveyor runway to Aa plurality of conveyor runways.

A further-object of-this invention is to provide an article-conveyorline control device lwhichiincludes a magnetic rotary-turret for selectively diverting articles or containers'fromY a single conveyor runwayy to a plurality of runways.

Still another object of this invention `is to` provide an article conveyor linecontrol device which includes a magnetic' rotary turret for selectively diverting'the conveyed articles from a single conveyor runway to aV pluralityV of runways in a pre-selected ratio.

A. still-further object of this invention is to provide an article conveyor line control device of the magnetic rotary turret type generally referred to above, Vwherein the location of the magnets may be selectively positioned to achieve an articlediversion from one conveyor runway to another in a pre-selected ratio.

This invention contemplates, as a stillVK further object thereof, the provision of an article conveyor line control device which includes a magnetic rotary turret for selectively diverting articles from a single runway to a iplurality of runways in a pre-selected ratio for delivery to iilling, sealing or packaging machines or for other subsequent operations.

This invention has, as still another object thereof the Yprovision of an article conveyor line control ldevice of the lmagnetic rotary turret type generally referred to supra, wherein the location of4 the magnets may be selectively positioned toachieve an article diversion from one conveyor runway to another in a pre-selected ratio, themagnetic means inthis instance comprising a plurality of electro-magnets and means formselectively,energizing the electro-magnets.

It is still anotherobject` of this invention toprovide apparatus Aofthe type referred `to supra. which is noncomplex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in use.

Other. and further-.objects and advantages ofthe instant invention will .become more evident from, a considerationof .the .following specification when` read in-c onjunction withithe` annexed drawings, in which:

Figure lis a topftplan view ofcontainer divider ap- .paratus constructed in accordance `with ;the Apresent in- .,vention;

ICS

Figure 2 isa partialvside ,elevational-,view of` theY apparatus illustrated inAFigure A1;

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view, .partly in elevation, taken substantially on the line 3-1-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

`Figure 4 is an exploded vperspective view ofthe permanent magnet assembly for` a turret plate;

Figure 5 is a topplan view of -container divider apparatus constructed in accordance with-a secondi-embodiment of this invention wherein the apparatus is provided with a'plurality of electromagnets; and,

Figure 6 is a detail--cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5,` Figure 6 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring-,now more specically to the drawings,refer ence numeral v10 designates,in general, conveying apparatus constructedl ink accordance with theteachings of this invention. The apparatusgli) includes a pair of conventionally supported, laterally spaced, parallel and longitudinally-extending slides 12, 14 which slidablysupport `the opposed ends of a plurality of elongated substantially rectangular article supporting slats 16 disposed in later- `ally spaced, side-by-side relation relative to each other. To each of the slats 16, adjacent each end thereof, is secured thebight 18, of a depending, inverted, substantially ll-shaped connector element 20, from the opposed ends of wh-ich depend the side arms 22, 24, respectively.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a pair of elongated endless conveyor drive chains driven by conventional means.

Selected links 2S thereof are connected to the side arms 22,24 by means of pins Si). Thus, as the chains 26 are jdriven the slats 16 will move in a corresponding direction.

,sitions along `the length of the conveyor the lips 36 are secured, in longitudinally spaced relation, to a flange 40 `integral t with and depending from the outer marginal edgeof the slide 14. Any conventional means may be utilized in connecting the lips 36 with the llange 40 as, for example, the bolts 42 and nuts 44.

As is Seen in the drawings, `the main bodyportions 34 of the standards 32 diverge upwardly and away from the plate `t6-by means of the bolts 54 and nuts 56.

58 has its upper end journalled for rotation within the Slide 14, and the lips 38 at the other ends-of the main body portions 34 are disposed substantially perpendicular to -the slide 14.

-An elongated substantially rectangular mounting plate 46 extends between and has its respective-ends secured to the lips 3S by means of bolts 48 and nuts 50. A pair lof-vertically spaced and aligned identical bearings S2, of

conventional construction, are secured to the mounting A shaft 'bearings 52 and downward displacement thereof vrela- 60. 6? which are secured on the shaft 58 by set screws 62 tive thereto -is prevented by means of a pair of collars Y for rotation therewith, the collars 60 abutting against the upper ends of the bearings 52. The lower end of the shaft 58 is received within an axially extending elongated bore 64 which extends through a substantially cylindrical hub 66 having a pair of vertically spaced integrally -formed radial flanges 68, V70, the flanges 68, 70 being disposed, respectively, adjacent each end of the hub 66. The shaft 58 is provided with an axially extending keyway (not shown) adapted for alignment with an axially extending keyway 72 cut through the hub 66, the keyways slidablyreceiving therein a key 74 held against displacement by means of a set screw 76. Thus, the hub 66 is keyed for rotation with the shaft 58.

Reference `numerals 78 indicate a pair of identical substantially solid cylindrical turret plates having centrally positioned transversely extending bores 80, and the circumferential sides thereof are formed with a plurality of arcuately shaped recessesy 82. The uppermost one of the turret plates 78 is telescoped over the upper end of the hub 66 and is supported on the upper side of the flange 68 to which it is iixedly secured by a plurality of countersunk screws 84. In a similar manner, the lowermost one of the turret plates 78 is telescoped over the lower end of the hub 66 and is secured to the underside of the flange 70`by means of a plurality of similar countersunk screws 84. The arcuate recesses 82 of the uppermost one of the turret plates 78 are aligned with the arcuate recesses 82 formed in the lowermost turret plate, and the ends of each adjacent pair of recesses are separated by a plurality of radially extending ngers 86.

As is seen in Figure l, the shaft 58 suspends the turret plates 78 in such a manner that substantially one-half of the plates 78 overhang the slats 16 in vertically spaced relation relative thereto.

Reference numeral 88 denotes a substantially fiat horseshoe type permanent magnet having opposed poles 90, 92 and a central opening 94. The ends of the poles are formed with arcuate faces 96, 98 cut on the same radius used in forming the arcuate recesses 82.

A brous Washer 100 extends across one side of the magnet 92 and is provided with an arcuate cutout portion 102 and a transversely extending substantially centrally located aperture 104. The cutout 102 is struck on the same radius of curvature as are the arcuate faces 96, 98.

A substantially rectangular brass plate 106 extends across that side of the Washer 100 remotely disposed with respect to the magnet 88, the plate 106 having an arcuate cutout portion 108 extending inwardly from a side thereof, the cutout' 108 being struck on the same radius of curvature as are the arcuate faces 96, 98 of the poles 90, 92. The plate 106 is also provided with a transversely extending, centrally located aperture 110.

The magnets 88, Washer 100 and plate 106 are assembled in the manner described with the arcuate faces 96, 98 of the magnets being aligned with the arcuate cutout portions 102, 108, and the assembled elements are secured to the underside of the uppermost turret plate 78 by means of an elongated screw 112 which passes through the apertures 104, 110 and between the poles 90, 92 for threaded engagement with a tapped opening 114 disposed adjacent selected ones of the arcuate recesses 82. A similar assembly of magnets 88, Washers 100, and plates 106 are secured to the upper side of the lowermost turret plate 78 adjacent the recesses 82 formed therein which are aligned with the selected ones in the uppermost turret plate 78.

In the drawings, the magnets 88 are secured to both turret plates 78 adjacent every other arcuate recess 82, but as will become apparent below, other variations in the selective placement of the magnets 88 may be utilized.

Reference numeral 116 denotes one of a plurality of brackets. Each of the brackets is seen to comprise an elongated substantially flat rectangular main body portion 118 having lips 120, 122 offset in opposite directions. The lips 122 are tixedly secured at longitudinally spaced intervals to a longitudinally extending ange 124 with the main body portions 116 inwardly inclined over adjacent end portions of the slats 16, the lips 120 being disposed substantially perpendicular thereto. The brackets 116 have secured to their respective lips 120 an elongated substantially rectangular guide member 126 to which is secured, by conventional means, an elongated substantially rectangular leaf spring 128 juxtaposed with respect to the turret plates 78. The guide member 126 extends substantially the entire length of the conveyor 10.

A second elongated substantially rectangular guide member 130 extends longitudinally of the conveyor 10 in laterally spaced substantially parallel and confronting relation relative to the guide member 126, the guide member 130 being located adjacent the loading end A of the conveyor 10 and having an inner terminal end 132 disposed adjacent the turret plates 78.

A third elongated substantially rectangular guide member 134 extends longitudinally of the conveyor 10 in laterally spaced substantially parallel and confronting relation relative to the guide member 126, the guide member 134 being located adjacent the discharge end B of the conveyor 10, the guide member 134 having an inner terminal end 136 disposed adjacent the turret plates 78.

A fourth elongated substantially rectangular guide member 138 extends longitudinally of the conveyor 10 in laterally spaced parallel and confronting relation relative to the third guide member 134 and is located on that side thereof remote from the guide member 126. The guide member 138 has an inner terminal end 140 located adjacent the turret plates 78 and is disposed adjacent the discharge end B of the conveyor 10.

The space between the guide members 126, 130 and between the guide members 126, 134 is substantially equal to the space between the guide members 134, 138, and this dimension is sufficiently large enough to permit cans or other articles 142 formed of a magnetizable material to pass between each adjacent pairs of guide members.

Reference numeral 144 connotes a drag brake having an elongated substantially rectangular central section 146 which terminates at one of its ends in an arcuate tab or brake drum 148. The brake drum 148 frictionally engages partially around the shaft 58. The other end of the lcentral section 146 terminates in a hinge barrel 149 interposed between a pair of hinged barrels 150, 152 integrally formed on a hinge plate 154. Conventional means 156 secure the hinge plate 154 to the mounting plate 46. A pintle pin 158 extends through the barrels 148, and 152 to pivotally connect the brake 144 to the plate 154. The brake drum 149 is held in frictional engagement against the shaft 58 by means of a helicoidal spring 160 under compression which is introduced between the mounting plate 46 and the central section 146 of the brake 144.`

In operation a plurality of cans or other articles 142 formed of a magnetizable material are loaded in single file on the slats 16 at the loading end A of the conveyor 10 between the guide members 126 and 130 in longitudinally spaced relation as is shown in Figure l. The slats 16 move the cans 142 towards the turret plates 78. As one of the cans 142 shown in dotted lines in Figure l .passes beyondthe inner end 132 of the guide member 130 it begins to enter one of the arcuate recesses 82. Continued forward movement of this can or article 142 causes it to engage the resilient leaf spring 128 which then presses the can 142 firmly into the juxtaposed arcuate recess 82, as shown in full lines in Figure l.

Prior to the operation and loading of the conveyor apparatus 10, 'the operator predetermines the ratio of distribution of the cans 142 at the discharge end B of the conveyor between the two pairs of guide members 126, 134 and 134, 138, respectively. To that end, one or more magnets 88 are secured to the upper end lower turret plates 78 in the manner described above adjacent one or more of the arcuate recesses 82. In the embodiment shown in Figure l, the magnets 88 are illustrated as being connected adjacent every other one of the arcuate recesses 82 'in both turret plate 78 to obtain, as will be explained below, a distribution ratio of 1 to 1. It should be obvious, Ihowever, that by changing the location of the magnets 88 relative to each other and by using more or less thereof, lthe distribution ratio and the delivery timing at the discharge end B may be selectively varied.

Referring now again to AFigure l of the drawings, the can '1`42"show`n"in 'full "lines has entered a'pair of turret recesses'82 adjacentwhich have' beenl secured themagnets 88. Asf'the conveyor ltl'continues its movement, the turret-'plates 78 rotate ina counterclockwise direction gradually sliding the can 142 across the slats 16 in a curvilinear path until it is substantially aligned between thefg'uide members 134,7138 as illustrated in Figure l. Further rotation ofv thefplates 78 causes the can'142 to strike against the guide memberlSS adjacent its terminal vend Y140`to break'the 'magnetic field 'of attraction between'the magnetsrSS and the can 142. The can 142 i now moves on the Vslat 16 between the Aguide members The can'142 shown in phantom lines just preceding the full lineillustration thereof in Figure l is received Within'the next succeeding recesses 82 formed in the vupper and lower turretplates 78, and since no magnets are mounted adjacent thereto, the vcan 142 is released therefromfor vcontinued linear movement between the guide Vmembers 126,- 134.

From the foregoing specification it should now be apparent that the turret plates 78 are only rotated when a can 142 enters the recesses 82 formed therein and engages against the leading oneof the fingers 86 disposed at opposite ends thereof.

Figures and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of this inventionwhich is similar to that illustrated in -Figures l to 4, inclusive, with the exception of the substitution of electromagnetic means for the permanent magnetic means -for effecting the selective diversion of the conveyed arti- -clesfrom -a single conveyor runwayto a plurality of runways.

In this second embodiment of the invention parts thereof having counterparts in the -iirst embodiment are differentiated therefrom by the addition of a prime-mark to the identical reference numeral.

The second yembodiment vof the invention includes a conveying apparatus10' and a pair of conventionally supported, laterally spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending slides 12', 14andrintermediate slides 200, 202, 204, theslides being adapted to slidably support the vopposed ends ofa plurality of elongated substantially rectangular article supporting slats 206, 208, 21d-and 212 disposedin side-by-s-ide and end-to-end relation rela tiveto eachother. The cha-in drives 28 are synchronized or connected together so that the slats move longitudi- 1 nally on the conveyor atV a uniform rate of speed.

Asl in the preceding embodiment, upper and lower turret plates 7S are' secured to -a shaft 58' for rotation therewith. However, in this modification, electro-magnets 214V have -been' substituted for the previously described i permanent magnets. As is seen in Figure 6, the electrofmagnets ,214 are secured to the adjacent sides of the turret plates 78 proximate selected ones of the arcuately tially equal. The'bor'es 220 are each counterbored at 222.

Reference numeral 224 designates an electrically conductive brush having 4an enlarged cylindrical Contact head 226 and a stem 228 of reduced diameter, the latter being mounted for reciprocation in the counter bore 222 and extending transversely on each side thereof. A helicoidal spring 230 is seated within the bore 220 and surrounds a portion of the stem 228. The upper end of the spring 230 engages against the radial flange 2.32 carried on the stem 228 adjacent the head 226. A substantially cylindrical cap 234 having a centrally apertured end wall 236 is fitted over the head 226, and the open end of the cap 234 is formed with a radial flange 238 xedly secured tothe upper side'of the uppermost one 'of"the^turret wheels 78. Asis' clearly seen in Figure 6; thestem`228 issecured to one end of aradially projecting arm 240 to'which'one side of the electro-magnet 214 is connected throughwire 242; the otherside Aof theielectro-magnet 214 is grounded tothe hub 66 through wire'244.

The arm 240is connected to one side of the'electro magnet 214 on the lower turret wheel 78""immediately below the previously described electro-magnet, through the wire 246; the other side of the lower 'electro-magnet 214 is grounded to thehub 66' through the wire 248.

. Reference numeral 250 denotes,.genera1ly, an L-shaped bracket having the leg 251 thereof .ixedly connected to the mounting plate46! by bolts 252 and 254. VThe foot portion 256r is connected at 258 to a substantiallyflat cylindricaldisc 260formed of a dielectric material .and constructed, preferably, of a dielectric plastic. The plate 260 is centrally apertured at'262 and surrounds the shaft S8 proximate the lbearing 52.

As lis seen in Figures 5 and 6,.the circumferential side wall of the disc 260 is provided with a cutout to receive Y therein a plurality of metallic inserts 264,-'266, 268, preferably formed of copper or of other materials havingV good electrical conductivity characteristics, the inserts being secured to the disc 260 by means of a plurality of radially spacedscrews'270. If desired, the inserts 264, 266,268 may -be constructed as an integral unit.

As is clearly seen in Figure 6, the disc 260 is subtended from the mounting plate 46 insuch a manner asto effect wiping or sliding engagementof the enlarged bush headsf226 against the inserts 264, 266, 268.at periodic intervals.

As is seen in Figure 5.of the drawings,.a metallic plate 272 is fixedly secured to and extends across adjacent ends of the inserts 264, 266, 268 and is electrically connected through wire 274 with one side of. the secondary of a transformer 276. The Vtransformer 276 is` of the voltage step down type and the other side of the secondary is grounded to the mounting 4plate 46 throughthe wire 278. The primary winding of the transformer.276 is energized through a conventionalhwire cablev 280 which is connected thereto from a source ofsuitablerEMF.

through a toggle switch 282.

For convenience, the cans 142 formed of magnetizable material described above in connection withtherst embodiment of this invention are here identified by the same reference numeral to which has been added reference letters A, B, C, and D, and a second series of cansor containers 142A', 142B', 142C and 142D. Adjacent pairs of conveyor guide members 284, 286, and286, 288,.and

28S and `2190 and 290, 292 define therebetween a plurality of conveyor discharge flights for'the slats 206, 208, 210 and 212, respectively.

Assuming that the conveyor apparatus 10 vis in roperation and the slats aremoving inthe direction indicated by the arrows, and further assuming that the switch 282 is closed, the operation of the device is as follows.

A plurality of containers or other receptacles formed of a magnetizable material, 142A, 152B,.142C and 142D are loaded in single fileV on the slats 206 at the loading end of the conveyor 10. As the same move .towards the discharge end ofthe conveyor they are..intercepted,v by turret wheels '78 and are pressed into one of the upper and lower pairs o-f receiving recesses 82 bytheleaf spring 128 in the manner previously described. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, three successive pairs of recesses `82 have been equipped with electro-magnets 214 while the recesses 82 at each end thereof are not. This sequence is carried out over the entire circumference of the turret plates 78.

In Figures 5, all three of a given series of brushes or heads 2216 are shown as wiping against or engaging the inserts 264, 266 and 268 thereby energizing their respective connected electromagnets. The turret plates 78 rotate in a counterclockwise direction and the container or receptacle 142A is pressed into one of the pair of upper and lower recesses 82' having proximate thereto a pair of upper and lower energized electro-magnets 214. This container is held in the recess 82 as the turret wheels 78 rotate substantially thirty degrees to bring the next succeeding pair of recesses v82' in opposition to the spring 128 with the container 142B. Since the electro-magnets 214 associated with this second pair of upper and lower recesses 82' are now energized, the container 142B will rotate thirty degrees with the turret wheels 78', and the container 142A will rotate a similar distance. At the same time the container 142C moves into juxtaposition with respect to a third pair of upper and lower recesses 82 having a third pair of energized electro-magnets 214 associated therewith and will be held therein for another thirty degrees rotation of the turret wheels 78. The fourth container 142D is now moved into juxtaposition between the spring 128 and a fourth pair of upper and lower recesses 82' which are not equipped with the electro-magnets, and as the turret plates 78 continue to rotate the containers 142A, 142B, 142C and 142D reach the positions indicated at 1142A', i142B', 142C' and 142D'. At these last named positions, the three brushes or heads 226 have just escaped from beneath the inserts 264, 266 and 268 to effect de-energization of the magnets holding the containers 142A', 142B' and 142C to the turret wheels 78. The now released containers 142A', 142B' and 142C' are now free for conveyance by the slats 212, v210 and 208, respectively, to their respective discharge stations and the container 142D is free to follow the conveyor slat 206 to its eventual discharge point. This operational sequence is then repeated.

As is evident from the above description, the electromagnets 214 may be arranged in any predetermined position to obtain the desired distribution ratio.

Having described and illustrated in detail two embodiments of the instant invention, it will be understood that the same are oered merely by way of example, and that the inventions are to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Conveyor apparatus for diverting articles formed of a magnetizable material travelling in a given path to a second path of travel pre-selected from a plurality of other paths of travel, said apparatus including rotatable article diverting means having at least one electro-magnet mounted thereon, said means being disposed intermediate the ends of said given path of travel of said articles for the interception thereof, means for energizing said electro-magnet to attract to said rotatable article diverting means one of said articles, and means on said rotatable article diverting means for de-energizing said electromagnet for positioning said article in said pre-selected one of said plurality of paths of travel.

2. Conveyor apparatus for diverting articles formed of a magnetizable material travelling in a given linear path to pre-selected ones of a plurality of linear paths of travel, said apparatus including rotatable article diverting means disposed intermediate the ends of said given linear path of travel of said articles for the interception thereof, a plurality of electro-magnets connected to said means for rotation therewith, means for energizing said electromagnets, saidenergized electro-magnets attracting and releasably holding said articles to said means for rotation 8 therewith and means for de-energizing said electromagnets when said articles are moved into any one of said pre-Selected plurality of paths of travel.

V3. Conveyor apparatus for diverting selected articles formed of magnetizable material from an original path of travel to pre-selected ones of a plurality of paths of travel, said apparatus including a plurality of longitudinally spaced substantially parallel slats forming the loading and discharge ends of said conveyor apparatus, means for eiecting movement of said slats towards said discharge end of said conveyor apparatus, a pair of vertically spaced and substantially parallel cylindrical turret plates journalled for concurrent rotation, said plates at their circumferential sides having a plurality of arcuate recesses formed therein with said recesses of one of said plates being aligned with said recesses formed in the other of said plates, a plurality of electro-magnets, means for selectively securing one or more of said electro-magnets to said plates adjacent pre-selected ones of said recesses, means for selectively energizing said electro-magnets, means for supporting said plates in overhung vertically spaced relation relative to said slats,a plurality of substantially rectangular guide members disposed in laterally spaced relation relative to said slats and disposed adjacent the discharge end of said conveyor apparatus, said articles being fed to the loading end of said conveyor apparatus for movement towards and for reception in said arcuate recesses, said articles disposed within said recesses having electro-magnets energized immediately adjacent thereto being slidable across said slats, means for de-energizing said electro-magnets when said articles have been moved to their respective pre-selected discharge paths of travel for passage to the discharge end of said conveyor.

4. Conveyor apparatus for diverting pre-selected articles formed of magnetizable material from an original path of travel to pre-selected ones of a plurality of paths of travel as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for energizing and de-energizing said electro-magnets cornprise a plurality of metallic members, means for supporting said metallic members in elevated position above said turret plates, means for connecting one side of a source of to said metallic members, means grounding the other side of said source to said apparatus, and a plurality of electrically conductive brushes mounted for reciprocation in one of said turret plates and adapted to slidably engage said metallic members, said brushes being electrically connected with one side of said electromagnets, means connecting the other side of said electromagnets to said ground through said conveyor apparatus, said electro-magnets being energized by engagement of said brushes with the trailing end of said metallic members and de-energized upon disengagement of said brushes from the leading ends of said metallic members.

5. Conveyor apparatus as dened in claim 4, wherein said metallic members are arcuately shaped and ixedly secured to a dielectric disc, and means constantly urging said brushes into engagement with said arcuately shaped metallic members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

